Sunday, November 18, 2007

Quality Control Program

Discussion of how to make sure we are delivering the best biodiesel possible led to the following resolutions:
The coop will require our supplier to buy only 100% soy biodiesel. The high gelling point of the current fuel is unacceptable (solid fuel at 40 F is not possible with soy biodiesel).\
The coop will require documentation of the cloud point of fuel from the supplier, in keeping with ASTM 6751 standard.
Mark Eckley and John Shepley will be the contacts for McComas or Taylor fuel supply companies.

The coop will install a fuel/water separator filter on the storage tank. Water encourages microbial growth that can cause sputtering. Condensation within the tank is unavoidable in fall and spring when temperature swings are large and humidity levels in the air change. This fuel polishing system will remove water from the fuel and also filter out any microbes. Estimated cost of $300 will be paid with coop funds.

The storage tank will be emptied and rinsed with kerosene before a new batch of fuel is purchased. The tech committee hopes this will be necessary only this one time. However, each batch of fuel will be tested with a pHlip test available from Cyto Culture Environmental labs. 10 field tests were purchased and will be used to evaluate the next batches of fuel, before sale to members.

Fuel additives and fuel filters will be made available to members, at cost, at the kiosk in Mill Valley. Please email your requests to the Yahoo! group or post them here on the blog as comments. The tech committee will also work on publishing a handbook for all members to help avoid fuel issues in the winter and when first acclimating your car to biodiesel.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Apex fuel company sold McComas fuel that met ASTM6751. The cloud point listed was 11.6C-? that's 52F, folks.
Crazy to put that stuff in a truck and dispense it into an outdoor tank when the temperature outside is 39F.
Lot number 71104507

Coop needs to know what the cloud point of the B100 is before accepting delivery.

Well Left said...

Our winter blend will consist of 50% soy biodiesel from Taylor Oil, via Peter Cremer a million gallon per year producer of soy biodiesel, and 50% K1 kerosene (ultra low sulfur).
We call it B50K50.

The gel point of the B100 is 0C. The B50K50 blend ought to be good to -20C or about 0F.

Keep a sample in a clear jar on your porch or garage so you can see what your fuel is doing in your tank.

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